Frozen doors, icy windows and other winter troubles. How to cope?

The first association with getting into a car in winter? Frozen doors and icy windows. But these are not the only problems associated with the operation of the car in the coldest months of the year. Other problems are cloudy diesel fuel and problems with the leather upholstery or plastic parts of the driver's cab. Here are some ways to help you.

ice windows

Icy and frozen windows are the first sign that winter is just around the corner. It's also the point at which many drivers realize they'll have to leave their homes a few minutes early in the coming months to defrost the windows in a cold parking lot. Scraper selection should be easy. It is important that the edges intended for scraping are perfectly smooth and free from mechanical damage, because any unevenness can cause dirt particles to scratch the glass.

In the event of scraping, there is always a risk of microcracks, so the best solution is to use a de-icer, especially in the case of a car windshield. Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we often have a disinfectant solution on hand, which will be a good substitute if we do not have a professional preparation. – Simply spray down on the windshield with de-icing spray, then scrape off the melted ice with a scraper or cloth. This will save us unnecessary scraping of the glass, and will also help in the future, because applying a thin layer of deicer will prevent another layer of ice from forming,” explains Krzysztof Wyszynski, product manager at Würth Polska.

See also: Is it possible not to pay civil liability when the car is only in the garage?

Another method of dealing with windshields is to warm up the car from the inside. However, the obstacle here is the Law on Road Traffic, which in Art. 60 sec. 2, paragraph 31 prohibits leaving the engine running when the car is parked in populated areas. It should be borne in mind that leaving the car idling in order to heat the windshield faster can result in a fine. In any case, probably not many people have the time or desire to wait on a cold morning until the ice on the glass melts.

frozen door

Another common problem that drivers face is door freezing. We can carefully try to remove ice from places we have access to. However, when trying to open the door, avoid using excessive force. This may damage the gasket or handle. In case we cannot enter, we must check the other doors in the vehicle and enter the vehicle from the other side, even the trunk, and then turn on the heating. Some people try to use a hair dryer or warm water if they have access to electricity or a house nearby. The latter method, however, is especially not recommended, because even if you manage to open the door, the liquid will freeze again and create an even bigger problem the next day. A more effective alternative to home remedies is to use the aforementioned windshield defroster. Just check beforehand whether the drug will react with the rubber and paint of the car.

However, as with many things, prevention is best. Those skilled in the art solve this problem by using a suitable rubber preservative. This preparation not only protects the seals from freezing, but above all provides the necessary flexibility and increases their durability. Products from well-known manufacturers extend the life of rubber parts and at the same time eliminate squeaking and grinding. It is important that the measure provides protection against water, including water splashed from the road, which in winter may contain salt from the sprinkled surface.

Diesels are harder.

Vehicles equipped with diesel engines are much more sensitive to low temperatures than their gasoline counterparts. We are talking about the behavior of diesel fuel, which becomes cloudy and freezes at low temperatures. This is why filling stations prepare diesel fuel for winter conditions during the cold months. However, it may happen that the temperature is so low that the diesel fuel changes its properties and makes driving impossible.

- The easiest way to rid yourself of problems with a diesel engine is systematic prevention. When a diesel performance improver is added to the fuel tank, the pour point will be lowered. Unfortunately, if we have already allowed the paraffin to precipitate, the fuel additive will not restore the original state. The agent itself improves the filtering ability of diesel fuel and prevents clogging of the filter and fuel line. Before using the product, it is worth reading the information supplied by the manufacturer in order to find out the exact properties of the reagent and the proportions in which it should be added to the fuel, explains Krzysztof Wyszyński from Würth Polska.

Don't Forget the Interior of the Car

Upholstery requires care regardless of the season. Especially when it's leather. In winter, this material is adversely affected by dry air and low temperatures, so it is worth using a leather preservative. Products from well-known manufacturers do not contain solvents, but consist of waxes and silicones. The imposition of such specificity allows you to protect leather elements from damage and restore

lighten them and provide the desired shine.

See also: Third generation Nissan Qashqai